Universal Bicycle Rack with Single Attachment Point

Abstract

A universal bicycle rack with single attachment point is disclosed. The invention, referred to herein as an integrated rack connection assembly (IRCA) is comprised of three main parts. A first part being a tubular, platform section (PS) with crossbar members for holding user items (such as bags, cases, etc.); a second part being a connection section (CS) for attaching the IRCA to a bicycle frame; and a third part being a tubular, platform assembly (PA) connecting the PS to the CS allowing a user to position the IRCA at various angles on a bike frame. The CS also having clamping plates allowing the apparatus to fit onto frames of different shapes and sizes. An object of the invention is to leverage the stability of a bike's central frame through a single attachment when storing items on a bicycle. Another object of the invention is to allow a user to attach a rack in a multitude of locations on a bicycle frame without compromising bicycle functions

Claims

1. An integrated rack connection assembly for bicycles comprising: a) a platform section for holding items, said platform section having a frontal portion adapted to substantially extend across the wheel or frame of the bicycle; b) a connection section for removably-connecting the integrated rack connection to bicycle frames and; c) a platform assembly for adjusting angles of the platform section relative to the connection section to fit bicycle frames.

2. The integrated rack connection assembly for bicycles of claim 1 wherein the platform section being U-shaped and having cross bars configured there between adapted to secure items and enhance strength of the platform section.

3. The integrated rack connection assembly for bicycles of claim 1 wherein the platform assembly pivotably-connecting the platform section and the connection section.

4. The integrated rack connection assembly for bicycles of claim 1 wherein the platform assembly having apertures and locking screws adapted to allow the platform section to be selectively locked at various angles relative to the connection section.

5. The integrated rack connection assembly for bicycles of claim 1 wherein the connection section having frame portions with apertures adapted to receive clamping plates with fasteners.

6. The clamping plates of claim 5 having concave shapes that when assembled with fasteners is adapted to receive a plurality of frame sizes.

7. A method for carrying items on a bicycle frame. The method comprised of the following steps: a) adjusting angle of the platform section relative to the connection section; b) flipping the integrated rack connection assembly. c) clamping the integrated rack connection assembly onto a bicycle frame; d) selectively locking the platform section at various angles relative to the connection section; and e) placing items on the platform section.

8. The method for carrying items on a bicycle frame of claim 7 wherein the flipping the integrated rack connection assembly being performed based on where the user prefers to install the integrated rack connection assembly on the bike frame.

9. The method for carrying items on a bicycle frame of claim 7 wherein the clamping being performed by tightening the clamping plates of claim 5 onto the frame with fasteners of claim 5.

10. The method for carrying items on a bicycle frame of claim 7 wherein the adjusting angle of the platform section of claim 1 relative to the connection section of claim 1 being performed by aligning the platform section with apertures in the cross section and locking the platform section in place by tightening the locking screws of claim 4.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0009] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate some, but not the only or exclusive, examples of embodiments and/or features.

[0010] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the invention.

[0011] FIG. 1A shows a side view of the invention with luggage.

[0012] FIG. 2 shows a side and perspective view of the invention attached to a down tube.

[0013] FIG. 3 shows a side and perspective view of the invention attached to a top tube.

[0014] FIG. 4 shows a side and perspective view of the invention attached to a down tube.

[0015] FIG. 5 shows a side and perspective view of the ICRAs attached to a down tube and step tube.

[0016] FIG. 6 shows a side and perspective view of two ICRAs attached to a down tube.

[0017] Other aspects of the present invention shall be more readily understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and the following detailed description, neither of which should be considered limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0018] In this description, the directional prepositions of up, upwardly, down, downwardly, front, back, top, upper, bottom, lower, left, right and other such terms refer to the device as it is oriented and appears in the drawings and are used for convenience only; they are not intended to be limiting or to imply that the device has to be used or positioned in any particular orientation. Conventional components of the invention are elements that are well-known in the prior art and will not be discussed in detail for this disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 1 showing the preferred embodiment of the invention 1 comprised of parts PS 2, CS 7 and PA 6. Said PS 2 being U-shaped and made of tubular, rigid material such as but not limited to aluminum, carbon fiber, plastic and the like and having a plurality of apertures configured perpendicular to its longitudinal axis. Fasteners 4 connecting threaded apertures in a plurality of cross bar members 3 to the PS 2 which are also disposed perpendicular to PS 2's longitudinal axisalso being made of a tubular, rigid material such as but not limited to aluminum, carbon fiber, plastic etc. The figure also showing CS 7 at least but not limited to two, tubes comprised of a rigid material such as but not limited to aluminum, carbon fiber, plastic and the like and having a plurality of apertures configured perpendicular to its longitudinal axis. Fasteners 8 connecting at least two clamping plates 9 to the CS 7 which are disposed parallel to CS 7's longitudinal axis. Clamping plates 9 having fastener apertures and are made of a rigid material such as metal and the like. Said clamping plates 9 having a planar, rectangular shape with a proximal curvature along its longitudinal axis configured to receive cylindrical bicycle frame tubes there between when assembled and compressed by fasteners 8 to said CS 7. The aforementioned PS 2 and CS 7 being pivotably connected on distal ends by means of PA 6. PA 6 having two components (one for each of the two distal ends of the PS 2 and PA 6) being made of a rigid material such as but not limited to metal and the like. Said two PA 6 components having two parts: one part being a planar-shaped, slotted member configured to receive a second, planar-shaped, tine-shaped member part therein allowing the PS 2 to be pivotably rotated relative the CS 7. The aforementioned slotted and tine members having a multitude of matching, threaded apertures to receive anchor bolts 5 wherein a single anchor bolt 5 providing a pivot point and another bolt 5 releasably locking the PS 2 at a predetermined angle depending upon aperture alignments. FIG. 1A shows a side view of the IRCA 1 with luggage 11 stowed thereon.

[0020] FIGS. 2-6 showing various methods of installing the IRCA 1 on a bicycle frame. FIG. 2 shows a side and perspective view of IRCA 1 attached to a down tube. FIG. 3 shows a side and perspective view of IRCA 1 attached to a top tube. FIG. 4 shows a side and perspective view of the IRCA 1 attached to a down tube. FIG. 5 shows a side and perspective view of the ICRA 1s attached to a down tube and step tube. FIG. 6 shows a side and perspective view of two ICRA 1s attached to a down tube.

[0021] It is additionally noted and anticipated that although the device is shown in its most simple form, various components and aspects of the device may be differently shaped or slightly modified when forming the invention herein. As such those skilled in the art will appreciate the descriptions and depictions set forth in this disclosure or merely meant to portray examples of preferred modes within the overall scope and intent of the invention, and are not to be considered limiting in any manner. While all of the fundamental characteristics and features of the invention have been shown and described herein, with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure and it will be apparent that in some instances, some features of the invention may be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth. It should also be understood that various substitutions, modifications, and variations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.